Which spatial data model works best for your own field data? Vector or raster, or perhaps either…? Give examples and explain here
2 Likes
I think that for the location of nest boxes the suitable model would be a vector by points, and for the density of plants a continuous raster.
1 Like
This is rather tricky.
For vector models, I would say using a line layer to represent the transects measured within a polygon of seagrass area.
As for water quality, I believe this should be raster? and could be continuous since our values are numerical and ranges for salinity, pH, DO etc.
To monitor the penguins nestboxes, we use points of long/lats to mark out location, on an aerial image vector layer.
Or a continuous raster could be used to indicate vegetation types and surrounding urban density areas.
I think i am still slightly confused at this stage 
On Roads Section ,through the application of a vector layer , i could run a proximity analysis around each of my road segments , through the creation of a buffer around it .
working with fire spread on the surface of wild grass(the spread of veld fires) data, the best spatial model to use is a raster-based model at different regimes and determining the spread of fire from neighboring cells moving from one cell to another. or a vector approach if we assume that the fire spreads continuously in a polygon
1 Like
I collect both vector and raster data. For example, I want to know the forest type (or habitats) and within the habitats I want specific locations. So I will use vectors for the specific locations and rasters for the vegetation type.
I am guessing I will be representing vector data since I have to represent points of animal capture.
For planning purposes, i will be using raster data such as Google Earth images.
In the field, i will be collecting vector data such as points and polygons.
Dear teacher,
The vector spatial data is the best work to support my job. Because it is the real data that I have collected in the field. But the raster spatial data is used to verifying land set, slope, and so on.
Best regards,
Kroem Phon
My own field data is best represented by both vector and raster spatial data models. Primarily I will collect vector point data such as animal sightings (elephant, hippo, whale, poaching camp) as well as vector line data (connecting the vector points to see movement of a certain animal or to see movement of poachers). I will also represent thematic raster data based on vegetation type such as savannah, forest, and mangrove. My question is this: if I want to create polygons of the areas that contain a certain vegetation type (savannah or forest, for example), is this considered vector or raster? I know that a polygon is vector, but since I am talking about vegetation type would it also be raster?
3 Likes
I do camera trap surveys so vector data collection. Each camera trap is a point, but they are in a transect set-up which is in a line, and from the predator ID images that we collect (as well as spoor and a whole load of other data) we can draw up the home ranges and suspected territories of a whole range of predators - these are then represented by polygons.
1 Like
Quite a tricky question, in my field of work mapping to determine a home range for Caracal (rooikat). A collared cat GPS points & spoor tracking line is part of my vector data. An aerial image of the cat home range (study area), vegetation types within the area as preferred and important for a conducive territory it’s existence is considered; raster data. in conclusion Vector and Raster data is very important in my career field.
@foggygoggle what a very interesting question, earlier on I was confused too. polygons are considered vector because they are discrete they have endpoints. vegetation types which vary time to time is your raster, which will be the information within your Vector, therefore Vector and Raster are vital in your field work.
2 Likes
It’s just as similar to me that my field data is best represented in both vector and raster spatial data models. For I will collect vector point data such as animal location with radio-telemetry (to track the location of the animal as well as to see their movement and maybe the pattern of the home range too). However, can habitat types be represented for thematic raster, such as on tree brunches, perching on leaves, forest floor, etc.(for lizards)? @foggygoggle @xolanimanzini
3 Likes
We Use both Vector and Raster, We track painted dogs using VHF, from the collared dogs and collect the data of their location as (points), which we then overlay with roads (lines) and protected areas, National Park (polygons). Then continuous Raster to show vegetation cover which we use to analyze habitat selection for the painted dogs
I dont understand exactly difference between raster and vector data
for location, i think a vector should be used and for density and plants a rector will do
My field data could be represented by both vector and raster spatial data models. For the location of seahorses the suitable model would be a vector by points, for the density of seahorses a continuous raster, and for type of habitat, a thematic raster.
So, I think I’d have vector data for the positions of artificial reef unit, which could be either points or polygons depending on how much detail I wanted. Then vector polygons for the other natural and artificial sites being studied. Then continuous raster data for an aerial photograph of the area. Hopefully that’s right!